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NORAD commander: Incursions by unmanned aircraft systems on southern border likely exceed 1,000 a month
March 15, 2024 — There are likely more than 1,000 incursions by unmanned aircraft systems along the U.S.-Mexico border each month, Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot said March 14... MORE

A square, plastic aircraft with a spinning rotor on each corner flies in the air with a clear blue sky behind it.

DOD: Countering unmanned aerial system attacks a priority
November 15, 2023 — The Joint Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office is working on countermeasures, training and doctrine to establish solutions to address defense against unmanned aerial system attacks... MORE

A service member throws a drone into the air.

JBSA remains a no-drone zone at all installations
March 11, 2021 — Joint Base San Antonio is a no-drone zone at all times at all installations. Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote-controlled drones or model rockets is prohibited at all times. Many drone and unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, users may not know that they inadvertently pose a threat to military operations. ... MORE

Joint Base San Antonio is a no-drone zone at all times at all installations. Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote-controlled drones or model rockets is prohibited at all times. Many drone and unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, users may not know that they inadvertently pose a threat to military operations.

JBSA environmental program takes off with UAS technology
July 14, 2020 — What began as a project to improve land surveying, floodplain mapping, vegetation classification and endangered species management at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis has become a revolutionary innovation that could save the Air Force millions of dollars and countless hours of labor... MORE

An unmanned aerial system is prepared for a test flight July 9, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas.

AFIMSC seeks to transform Air Force environmental program with latest drone technology
September 11, 2019 — The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is leveraging the latest unmanned aerial system technology to transform the Air Force environmental program... MORE

Ethan Jacobs, unmanned aerial system engineer, launches a UAS during a field test Sept. 4 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis. The UAS was equipped with Light Detection and Ranging, multi-spectral sensors and machine-learning algorithms to map, survey and inventory habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler. The field test will help the Air Force determine if UAS technology can characterize habitat better, faster and cheaper than current methods.

Enlisted Marines reach new heights with UAS capabilities
August 13, 2019 — The first enlisted Marines to be assigned as sensor operators for the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System, or UAS, graduated from the Air Force course at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Aug. 9... MORE

The Commander of 558 Flying Training Squadron (FTS) Lt. Col. Eric Bissonette (left) and Marine Liaison to 558 FTS Major Matthew Bailey (right) stand with two graduates from the 19-14 Basic Sensor Operator Course (BSOC) graduating class after a winging ceremony. LCpl Joshua (center left) and LCpl Tyler (center right) are the first two Marines to complete 558 FTS BSOC and go on to qualify on the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The BSOC training program is a Air Force school which Marines have recently been doing a joint training with part of the 558 flight training squadron aboard Randolph Air Force Base

Proliferation of drones posing risk for U.S. military, expert says
August 24, 2018 — As of January 2018, over 1 million micro drones were registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, with about 878,000 of those registered to hobbyists, said Dr. Juanita Christensen. They are proliferating in other nations as well, including areas in every combatant command where U.S. forces are stationed or operating, she added. ... MORE

There are several challenges in countering unmanned aerial systems: identifying the UAS, determining whether or not the unmanned aerial system is friend or foe, and, if foe, employing the right countermeasures.